As we are now over halfway through the term it’s a good time to update you on what’s happening in the next couple of terms. Firstly I would like to thank you all for your support to Minnows Swim School and your commitment to bringing children to swimming lessons especially on the colder days!

Both Vicki and Maree inform me that your children have made some amazing progress with their swimming over the term; they both bring so much enthusiasm and energy to Minnows.

Nicola

HEALTH & SAFETY

Minnows Swim School is committed to ensuring the health, safety and welfare of any individual directly involved with the swim school. We will, so far as reasonably practicable, take all steps necessary to ensure the health, safety and welfare of its teachers, pupils and other persons in the pool area. As parents please support us by ensuring that your children are behaving in a safe and appropriate manner whilst waiting for their lessons. In particular please note the following:

• Children are not to climb or hang off structures in or around the pool, including roof supports and fencing

• No running around the poolside

• Children are not to be close to the poolside without a teacher’s supervision

• Teachers are only responsible for your children while children are participating in a lesson – children are your responsibility while they are waiting.

There is a full set of health and safety rules and a behavioural policy on display at the pool for parents to read. If at any time you as parents have concerns regarding the health and safety of any person at Minnows Swim School please contact myself ASAP.

BOOKINGS FOR TERM 4

Term 4 is often our busiest term of the year with a big increase to our role; therefore spaces are very limited. All children who are currently enrolled in lessons during term 2 will get first priority on spaces in term 4, spaces will then be offered to children who were swimming in term 1, then all children who are currently on our waitlist.

Please note that if your children were in a class in term 1 they may not automatically return to that class; their space may have since been filled or the children who have remained in that class may have progressed onto a higher level.

Our primary aim is to place children in classes that are specific to their swimming level.

FEES

Fees for term 2 are now overdue, pleases pay prompt, if you have any queries regarding fees please contact me ASAP.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Remember to wrap up warm while you’re waiting;bring your blanket, hot water bottle, thermos and anything else that helps to make the wait easier!

The beginning of 2017 has gotten off to a great start here at Minnows; we are into our last few weeks of term 1 so time for an update of what’s happening!

Swimming is no different to any skill, it takes regular practice to master the strokes so that we can swim efficiently. With the majority of children swimming at school there is not only some great improvement in swimming skills but also in your children’s awareness of water safety and survival.

Minnows has been teaching children to swim since 2003; I hear some great stories of past pupils who continue to compete in swimming at a high national level, participate (and in 1 case win gold) at the under 14 world surf lifesaving champs, or go onto other water based sports such as water polo, underwater hockey, kayaking, water skiing or synchronized swimming. All of these sports fundamentally require a good swimming foundation which is the fundamental aim at Minnows Swim School.

Nicola

TIMETABLE

After many years of maintaining the same preschool timetable there will be some changes in term 2 2017. There will no longer be any preschool lessons held on Friday mornings; there will however be lessons on the following days-

Tuesday & Wednesday - 1.15pm to 2.45pm

Thursday 9.30am - 12pm

Fridays 1pm – 3pm

After school classes

Monday to Thursday 3.15pm - 5.45pm

Fridays 3.30pm - 5.30pm

TERM 2 BOOKINGS

All parents need to complete the booking form that is currently at the poolside regardless of whether their child will be swimming in term 2 or not. This only takes a moment to either or alongside your child’s name.

HOUSEKEEPING

• Please wash your cup and keep area around tea & coffee clean

• Ask your children to put the toys back into toy box when they’ve finished playing

• Remember that your children are YOUR responsibility when they are not participating in a lesson… for example, running around the pool side, hanging off the roof structures or pool gate are not acceptable

• Keep noise level to a minimum

• Please do not interrupt teachers during lessons (except in an emergency situation)

School swimming sports are all about having fun and giving it a go! Encourage your kids to get involved and do their best; if they remember all they’ve learned at Minnows they’ll do well!